Equality- It is clear that men, enjoying the faculties connected with their nature, are equal; they are equal when they perform animal functions, and when they exercise their understanding. The King of China, the Great Mogul, the Padisha of Turkey, cannot say to the least of men: "I forbid you to digest, to go to the privy and to think." All the animals of each species are equal among themselves. In our unhappy world it is -
A knock at her bedroom door made her jump. She had been sitting on her bed, reading.
"Élise, may I come in? I must share this!" She could hear a smile on his voice.
"Oi, come in," she said. She closed the book and rested it on her bed.
Timothee entered with a face of mirth.
"Élise, you must read this! Journal de l'France published an article about the Festival of the Supreme Being! The reception is more spectacular and irreverent than I could have possibly imagined! Écoutez ceci: 'Uninspiring and tedious, the festival felt entirely soulless. Robespierre proved the greatest bore among the assembly of speakers.' This was the man everyone was deathly only weeks ago! Robespierre! The effect of simply removing the Apple from his hands has been incredible, I -"
Arno had appeared behind him.
"Monsieur, if I may have a moment with Élise?"
"Why - Oh yes, of course."
He stepped aside. Arno gave him a look. He got the message, making a small bow and then heading back down. She remembered back when the order tried to keep them apart. Thing had changed so much. Arno closed the door behind him. Élise looked at him expectantly.
Arno just stared, words caught in his throat. Could it be, after all this time...? Was this going to be a defining moment?
She stood up, and began to approach.
"Élise, I -" he began, but then lost his words. Her heart beat fast as she approached, and most likely his did too. She stood right in front of him, looking into that face she so long desired: the whiskers on his chin, the lips that spoke, the blue eyes that were the portal to his soul. "I - when I saw you three days ago, nearly get killed I..."
She put up a finger to silence him.
"Arno...I...I know."
And finally the dam broke. She grabbed the back of his head, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. She ran her hands through his soft brown hair. Years she kept this imprisoned in her mind.
They parted. The line had been crossed. The barrier broken, after its years of intrusion. They looked into each other's eyes, blue into brown, their souls finally freed. They were speechless. Then she came in for another kiss.
It was finally over. All that waiting, all that worrying. They were both free.